MLB Player News

Silseth (elbow) could compete for the Angels' fifth-starter role during spring training, but he could open the campaign as a reliever or in the minors, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Silseth began 2024 in the Angels' big-league rotation, but he made just two starts before suffering an elbow injury that ultimately landed him on the 60-day IL. The righty did come back to pitch in the minors beginning in early June and made seven starts in Triple-A, but he finished the season on the minor-league IL with continued elbow troubles that required surgery. The procedure wasn't Tommy John, and Silseth is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, but his role for the coming campaign is very much up in the air. Jack Kochanowicz and Reid Detmers may both have a leg up for the fifth spot in the rotation, and while Silseth could be given a chance to compete for that role, he's also a candidate to pitch out of the bullpen or even to open back in Triple-A since he still has minor-league options remaining.

Detmers is one of several pitchers who will be competing for the Angels' fifth-starter role during spring training, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Detmers began 2024 in the Angels' rotation and was sizzling out of the gates with a 3-0 record, 1.19 ERA and 30:7 K:BB over 22.2 innings across his first four starts. The southpaw faded dramatically from there, however, finishing the campaign with an ugly 6.70 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over 87.1 frames while spending much of the season in the minors. There's little doubt that Detmers has impressive stuff -- among other things, he has a no-hitter to his name and a career 25 percent strikeout rate -- but he's yet to put it all together to cement himself as a consistent big-league pitcher. Detmers will have every chance during spring training to show that he belongs in Los Angeles' rotation, but Bollinger considers Jack Kochanowicz the early favorite to secure the team's fifth-starter spot to open the campaign.

Kochanowicz may have a leg up to open the 2025 season as the Angels' fifth starter, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Newcomers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks appear set to join Tyler Anderson and Jose Soriano in the rotation, which leaves one spot up for grabs. Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth (elbow) will almost certainly compete for that slot during spring training, and youngsters Caden Dana, George Klassen and Sam Aldegheri could be in the mix as well, but Bollinger considers Kochanowicz to be the favorite based on his strong finish last year. Over his last nine starts, Kochanowicz posted a 2.78 ERA over 58.1 innings and hurled eight quality starts, though he struck out a meager 20 batters during that span. The latter figure limits his fantasy stock quite a bit, and there's no guarantee that he'll even open the campaign in the majors if he struggles in exhibition play.

Flaherty and the Tigers agreed on a two-year, $35 million contract Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Flaherty will return to Detroit after spending the first half of the 2024 campaign with the team prior to being traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline in July. The right-hander combined to start 28 regular-season games with Los Angeles and Detroit last year, compiling a 3.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 194 strikeouts over 162 innings. Flaherty will make $25 million in 2025, and his contract includes an opt-out after the season, otherwise he'll make at minimum $10 million in 2026 with the possibility of making as much as $20 million. The 29-year-old figures to again be a valuable asset for fantasy managers in 2025 while operating in a pitcher-friendly ballpark in Detroit.

With the Tigers adding Tommy Kahnle on Wednesday, Foley may end up splitting closer duties with the newcomer as well as Tyler Holton, Will Vest and Beau Brieske, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Foley easily led the team in saves last season with 28, while Holton had eight. However, manager A.J. Hinch has shown a willingness to play the matchups at the end of games, so the lefty Holton and others could mix in. As for Kahnle, he's been an effective reliever the past few years, though he's never had more than two saves in a season, so he probably will mostly work as a setup man. Foley is the top Detroit reliever to target at this point, but the fluid nature of the club's bullpen may limit his upside to a degree in 2025.

Mize figures to compete for a back-end rotation spot in spring training, though he may ultimately end up in a long-relief role in 2025, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Tarik Skubal is the unquestioned staff ace, and Reese Olson and newcomer Alex Cobb figure to slot in behind him. Top prospect Jackson Jobe also seems likely to grab a rotation spot this spring, which would leave Mize and the likes of Brant Hurter, Keider Montero and others to compete for the fifth spot. Mize, the top pick of the 2018 draft, has flashed potential as a starter in the majors but has yet to truly live up to his potential. Injuries have been part of the issue, so the Tigers may decide to shift the 27-year-old into long relief in the hope of keeping him healthier and more effective.

Jobe seems likely to claim an Opening Day rotation spot if he has an effective spring, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Jobe made his MLB debut last year and has a ton of upside, so the Tigers understandably want to see him claim a rotation spot right out of the gates. It's possible that the 22-year-old needs a little more seasoning in the minors, though it seems as if he's ready to make a big impact in 2025 either way. While there will likely be some growing pains, Jobe has overpowering stuff and could be a breakout fantasy performer once he gets comfortable against MLB hitters. He's already a top dynasty target and should pick up steam in redraft formats.

Jung (wrist) is the mix for an Opening Day bench role this spring, though he may also begin the year at Triple-A Toledo, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Jung made his MLB debut in 2024 and slashed .241/.362/.304 in 34 games. The 24-year-old still has plenty of upside, though with the Tigers adding Gleyber Torres in the offseason, their infield is now a bit more crowded in the short term. That could leave Jung to compete with the likes of Andy Ibanez, Zach McKinstry and others for a utility role off the bench. Jung underwent minor wrist surgery in December, but he should be ready to go for spring training, and a strong exhibition showing would help his cause.

Whitlock (elbow) said last Monday that he expects to have a "regular spring training," Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "They've got me built out, so I'll just join right in with the group and just go from there," the pitcher said.

Transitioning from starter to reliever hastens Whitlock's return to action. The right-hander won't need to build up to the 70-80 pitch range over the spring, which gives him a chance to be available for Opening Day.

Garcia (knee) had a normal offseason progression following eight weeks of rehab after the end of the 2024 season, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Garcia dealt with a left patella tendon injury during the 2024 season, but neither he nor Texas president of baseball operations Chris Young believe it was the cause of the slugger's down year. An All-Star in 2023, Garcia slumped to a .684 OPS last year and started chasing more pitches, dropping from the 42nd percentile to the 17th. He noted there was extra movement in his swing and worked during the offseason to eliminate it.